This kit is similar to the 4D Vison puzzle kits but some gluing is required. The parts are all pre-painted.

I purchased this kit from Banzai Hobby in Japan and paid around $27 US currency plus shipping.

Henk Boshuijer

Tomytec also has the 1/700 ISS modelkit. This model is prepainted as well and looks just as great as the space shuttle set.

cspg

So you bought three shuttle sets A from Tomytec so as to have a MLP and crawler for each shuttle?

There's a Space Shuttle Set B with Enterprise, Columbia and Challenger and two Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. (Product content is strange: why two sets of solid rocket boosters and external tanks?)

The ISS is out of stock from Banzai Hobby but available from Hobby Link. There are two models of the ISS, the "planned prototype" and the "upon completion" ones.

the clocks running

quote:Originally posted by cspg: So you bought three shuttle sets A from Tomytec so as to have a MLP and crawler for each shuttle?

The Tomytec Space Shuttle Set A comes with the three shuttles that I listed and only one MLP and crawler. If you want to display all three space shuttles at once, the set includes two stands besides the MLP.

mode1charlie

Don't have the shuttle set, but I can report that their ISS model is well done.

cspg

quote:Originally posted by the clocks running:The Tomytec Space Shuttle Set A comes with the three shuttles that I listed and only one MLP and crawler. If you want to display all three space shuttles at once, the set includes two stands besides the MLP.

Should have read the product description more carefully!

I thought that Herpa's 1:500 scale was small but at 1:700, the term miniature surely applies. How detailed are the orbiters?

quote:Originally posted by cspg: I thought that Herpa's 1:500 scale was small but at 1:700, the term miniature surely applies. How detailed are the orbiters?

For a 1/700 scale model the orbiters look very good. The main reason that I bought this set was that I very much wanted a model of the MLP and Crawler.

Bill Hunt

I can attest to the fact that these are excellent models for 1/700 scale, though they take patience and care to build. Some of the parts are delicate and require care when removing from the parts "trees" so that the actual pieces aren't damaged. Other parts require light trimming and shaving. And the station model in particular is somewhat awkward to hold and handle (while building) in order to get all the parts aligned properly. A sharp X-acto knife is a must. And patience.

That said, I've completed the ISS model (the "final" version) and it's pretty terrific. I'm really happy with it. Surprisingly accurate for the scale and the detailed pre-painting is very nicely done. I actually think it's way better than the 4D Puzzle version, which I've also built recently. I'll try to post pics of the 1/700. I also have the "planning version" which I've yet to start and am currently working on the two Shuttle sets. All in all, I'm really pleased with the detail and quality. These are very nice replicas and a very manageable size.

p51

Are there any domestic vendors for these?

Bill Hunt

I don't know, but I can tell you I purchased on Amazon. Search "1/700 tommy tech" and "1/700 tomytec" and you should find all 4 of them. They shipped from Japan from the dealer I found, but very fast via Prime. 2-3 days. There are four "space" kits in all - 2 different shuttle kits and 2 different space station kits.

Henk Boshuijer

Here are some pictures of the Tomytec shuttle and ISS that I have.

They look pretty good.

Bill Hunt

Nice pictures! You can definitely see the quality of the detailing on those.

the clocks running

I just purchased and received the Tomytec Space Shuttle: Set B from Hobbylink Japan.

With both sets all of the Orbiters are represented.

the clocks running

quote:Originally posted by Henk Boshuijer:Here are some pictures of the Tomytec shuttle and ISS that I have.

How did you mount the shuttle to the main tank?

There are not any holes to mount the shuttle therefore you can make some with a pin vise on the belly of the orbiter or remove the mounting tabs on the mounts for the fuel tank.